Means for and methods of folding sheet material



Nov. 29, 1955 M. A. SEWARD MEANS FOR AND METHODS OF FOLDING SHEET MATERIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1952 T'IIIIIIIIFITI IN VEN TOR.

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MEANS FOR AND METHODS OF FOLDING SHEET MATERIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 2, 1952 IN VEN TOR. .MUNSON A-SEWARD A TTORNE 7 United States Patent MEANS FOR AND METHODS OF FOLDING SHEET MATERIAL Munson A. Seward, Warren, Ohio Application May 2, 1952, Serial No. 285,770

Claims. (Cl. 270-61) My invention relates to means for and methods of folding sheet material and the principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved means and methods for such purpose.

The invention is largely adapted for use by individuals and organizations having enough sheet folding work so as to make hand folding tedious and slow, yet having insufficient folding work to warrant the purchase of a relatively expensive folding machine.

Accordingly, the apparatus of my invention may be produced at a relatively low cost and is relatively small in size so that it may be easily stored when not in use. However, despite its low cost, the apparatus of my invention will fold sheets in uniform manner and at a speed approaching the speed of the elaborate and expensive folding machines.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in folding of paper sheets and accordingly it admirably fits the need of business, fraternal, church and other organizations who periodically mail a great many pamphlets to their membership. Although the invention hereinafter will be de scribed for the purpose of folding paper sheets, it is to be understood that it has equal utility in the folding of other sheet material having at least certain characteristics of paper.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a folding machine embodying my invention, a portion being broken away to better illustrate construction,

Fig 2 is a broken top plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1, 1

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding generally to the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are generally diagrammatic views showing parts of the machine in position during the various stages of folding operation,

Figure 8 is a side edge elevational view of a sheet folded in accordance with my invention, and

Figure 9 is a generally diagrammatic view of parts of the machine in an adjusted relation;

Referring to the drawings, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a frame 10 having a base portion 11 adapted to rest on a supporting surface, such as a table top and the like. It will be appreciated that the base portion may be provided with rubber buffers to prevent marring of the supporting surface.

in the present embodiment two sides 12 and 13 extend integrally and upwardly from the base portion 11, preferably at right angles thereto. Each side is provided with a bearing 14 for receiving a cross-shaft 15 which carries a cylindrical drum 16. The drum may be'of any suitable construction and since it is not subject to any great forces or a high degree of accuracy it may be made as economically as possible.

A crank 17 is positioned exteriorly of the side 12 and is connected to the shaft 15 for the purpose of rotating it and the drum 16. As here shown, the crank 17 comprises an arm 18 which is formed of material, such as strip steel, which will permit the arm to be sprung slightly away from the side 12. The arm 18 has one end secured to a hub 19 which in turn is secured to the shaft 15, and an operating knob 20 is secured to the other end of the arm.

Spaced stops 21 and 22 are secured to the side 12 and extend from an outer surface thereof, such stops being engageable with the crank arm 18 to limit throw of the crank. The stop 21 is herein shown as a round member eccentrically mounted so that it may be adjusted to provide for variation in the crank throw. The stop 22 is herein shown as a strip, such as of sheet metal, having an outwardly turned foot 23 at its upper end for abutment with the crank arm.

The present invention contemplates provision of structure wherein the crank and the abutment'22 may be relatively withdrawn from engagement, and in the present em bodiment this is accomplished by an outward pull on the knob 20 so as to spring the arm 18 clear of engagement with the foot 23 so that the crank may be swung beyond such foot. The parts are preferably designed so that the arm 18 need only be sprung a slight amount to clear the foot. The foot 23 may be formed with an angular edge 24 so that on return movement of the crank the arm is cammed outwardly by the edge 24 and the foot therefore does not obstruct such return movement.

In the present embodiment each of the sides 12 and 13 is formed with an upper portion 25 which is reduced in width with respect to the remainder of the side and is defined by parallel side edges. A plate 26 is slidably mounted exteriorly of respective sides 12, 13, at the upper portion 25 thereof, and in the present disclosure such plates are held to respective sides by means of fingers 27-27 which extend from opposite side edges of the plate and are bent around the parallel side edges of a respective upper portion 25. Each of the plates is normally urged in a downward direction, for a purpose to appear, and as here shown this is accomplished by hooking one end of a coil spring 28 through a tab extending from the lower margin of a plate 26 and hooking the other end of this spring through a tab 29 secured to a respective side 12, 13.

. same diameter and are of considerably less diameter than the drum 16. The rolls 30, 31 may or may not be provided with friction providing surfaces and in the present embodiment such rolls are shown as provided with a rubber outer shell 32 encompassing an inner bearing 33.

A shaft 34 passes through the bearing 33 of each roll and in the present embodiment the shaft is held stationary and the rolls 30, 31 rotate about their supporting shafts. Collars 35 may be provided to hold the rolls 30, 31 against axial movement with respect to their supporting shafts.

As presently disclosed, the sides 12, 13 have apertures 36 for passage of the shafts 34, such apertures being relatively large so that the shafts may have lateral movement. The extremities of each shaft are reduced and are secured in close-confining apertures formed in the respective plates 26. As herein shown, the shaft extremities are flatted, as at 37, and are received in similar shaped apertures in the plates, so that the shafts are held against rotation.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the rolls 30,

31 are yieldably pressed against the periphery of the drum 16. The rolls 3t 31 cooperate with the drum 14 to pro.- vide spaced bights for receiving the sheet and for feeding the sheet therethrough. The sheet S may be entered at the bight formed by the roll 3%) and drum 1d, and rotation of the crank 17 from the stop 21 to the stop 22 will feed a portion of the sheet through the spaced bights so that the leading edge of the sheet will extend a predetermined ili6stance from the bight formed by the roll 31 and drum A deflector 35; is positioned adjacent to the bight formed by the roll 31 and drum 16 and is operable to be engaged by the leading edge of the sheet and arranged to turn such edge and direct it back into the bight.

In the present embodiment the deflector comprises a support 39 preferably formed of channel stock. The support has a lower leg 4-13 secured to the base portion 11 and an upper leg 41 extending toward the bight formed by the roll 31 and drum 16. The end of the leg 41 is angled downwardly, as shown at 42, for the purpose of directing the leading edge of the paper toward the adjacent bight and parts of the side flanges of the leg 41 are preferably removed, as shown at 4-3.

A leg 44 is carried by the support 39 in spaced parallel relation with respect to the leg 41, and the legs 41, 44 provide guides for slidably supporting a deflector member 45 which is preferably U-shaped in cross-section, as best seen in Figure 4. A screw 46 spans the sides of the deflector member 45 and a wingnut 47 is provided so that such sides may be clamped against the legs 41-44 to hold the deflector member in adjusted position. The front edge of each side of the deflector member 45 is formed with an arcuate recess 48 and it is these recessed edges which are engaged by the leading edge of the sheet and which turn such edge and cooperate with the angled end 42 to direct the edge back to the adjacent bight.

In the preferred method of folding the sheet, a sheet S of suitable length is chosen, the length being generally dependent upon the length and number of folds to be made. The stop 21 is adjusted to predetermine the throw of the crank and the crank is moved to abutment with the stop.

The leading edge of the sheet S is then inserted in the bight formed by the roll 30 and the drum 16 and the crank is moved from the stop 21 to abutment with the stop 22. Such action will cause a portion of the sheet to be fed through the spaced bights and the leading edge of the sheet will engage the deflector 38, be turned by engagement with the arcuate surfaces 48, and be directed, by the angled end 42, back into the adjacent bight, as shown in Figure 5, thus forming the sheet into loop relation at the exit side of the roll 31.

The crank is then moved from stop 22 back toward the stop 21 and such action will cause reverse feeding rotation of the rolls and drum. In such rotation of the parts, the leading edge and the adjacent portion of the sheet are engaged by the bight formed by roll 31 and drum 16 and therefore the loop is drawn through this bight, parts forming the loop being doubled upon each other and a crease is formed in an intermediate portion of the loop. It is preferable to move the crank only to the dot-dash position shown in Figure 6 wherein the doubled portion is clear of the roll 31 but is held in the bight formed by roll 30 and drum 16.

A pulling force is then applied to the handle 20 to spring the crank arm 18 away from the side 12 and the crank is rotated in a direction toward the stop 22. Because the arm 18 is sprung, the crank will clear the stop 22 and may be rotated therebeyond.

Such action causes the doubled-up portion of the sheet to be fed crease-first through the bight formed by roll 31 and drum 16, and the crease now forms the leading edge and contacts the deflector means 38, the crease being turned and directed back into the adjacent bight as shown in Figure 7. Rotation of the rank in his ir tion may be continued until the crease reaches the bight to. thus form a further loop. However, any further movement of the crank will not afiect the fold since further rotation of the roll 31 and drum 16 will effect no further feeding action and the further loop will be maintained in the position shown in Figure 7.

When the crank is rotated in a reverse direction, that is from position shown in Figure 7 back toward stop 21, the crease and trailing edge will be engaged by the adjacent bight and the doubled-up portion and the remaining portion of the sheet will be folded, one upon the other, by feeding action through the adjacent bight, and a crease will be formed in an intermediate portion of the loop shown in Figure 7. The completely folded sheet (see Figure 8) is fed through and out of the bight formed by the roll 30 and drum 16 and is ready for mailing or other use. The crank may be rotated until it engages stop 21 to position the apparatus for operation on another sheet. It Will be appreciated that a sheet feeding table (not shown) may be positioned so that sheets may be easily fed into the apparatus.

In some cases, such as in case of programs and the like, it is required that the sheet be folded at its midpoint, and therefore only one fold is required. 'In such cases the deflector means 38 may be adjusted away from the adjoining bight a selected amount in accordance with the length of the sheet. In the event one-half the length of the sheet exceeds the feeding .rotation of the crank throw limited by the stops 21, 22, the crank arm may be sprung to clear the stop 22.

In any event, feeding rotation of the rolls is effected so that the leading edge of the sheet engages the deflector means and is directed back into the bight at approximately the time the trailing edge of the sheet leaves the adjacent bight. Reverse feeding action of the rolls is then effected by reverse movement of the crank and the sheet loop is drawn through the bights and is creased at its midpoint.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein disclosed may be variously changed and modified, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described, hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for folding sheet material comprising, a pair of rolls arranged to provide a bight for receiving the sheet therebetween and for feeding the sheet therethrougb, deflector means positioned adjacent to said bight and operable to be engaged by the leading edge of said sheet and arranged to turn such edge and direct it back into said bight, thus forming the sheet in loop relation at the exit side of said rolls, crank means for effecting feeding rotation of said rolls, spaced stop means having abutting relation with said crank means to predetermine the throw of the crank and thereby determine the size of said loop, the leading edge of said sheet being entered into said bight When said crank means is in abutting relation with one of said step means and said loop being formed by movement of said crank means to abutment with the. Other of said stop means, and said loop being drawn through said bight and an intermediate portion thereof creased by reverse movement of said crank means from said other stop means toward said one stop means.

2. Apparatus for folding sheet material comprising, a drum, a crank for rotating said drum, a pair of rolls pressed against said drum and thereby driven from said drum. s id roll and. said providing space bights f r i ing the shee hereb tween and for eding h heet therethrough, spa ed s op m ans having abutting r lation wi h said crank to l m t crank t row o hat n y a portion of said sheet is fed through said bights, the leading edge of said sheet being entered into one of said bights when said crank is against one of said stop means and being fed through both of said bights by movement of said crank to abutment with the other of said stop means, deflector means positioned adjacent to the exiting end of the other of said bights and operable to be engaged by the leading edge of said sheet and arranged to turn such edge and direct it back into said other bight, thus forming the sheet in loop relation at the exit side of said other bight, said loop being drawn through said other bight and into said one bight by reverse movement of said crank from said other stop means toward said one stop means, whereby said loop is folded and a crease is formed at an intermediate portion thereof.

3. Apparatus for folding sheet material comprising, a drum, a crank for rotating said drum, a pair of rolls pressed against said drum and thereby driven from said drum, said rolls and said drum providing spaced bights for receiving the sheet therebetween and for feeding the sheet therethrough, spaced stop means having abutting relation with said crank to limit crank throw so that only a portion of said sheet is fed through said bights, at least one of said stop means being adjustable to provide for variance of the amount of sheet fed through said bights, the leading edge of said sheet being entered into one of said bights when said crank is against one of said stop means and being fed through both of said bights by movement of said crank to abutment with the other of said stop means, deflector means positioned adjacent to the exiting end of the other of said bights and operable to be engaged by the leading edge of said sheet and arranged to turn such edge and direct it back into said other bight, thus forming the sheet in loop relation at the exit side of said other bight, said loop being drawn through said other bight and into said one bight by reverse movement of said crank from said other stop means toward said one stop means, whereby said loop is folded and a crease is formed at an intermediate portion thereof.

4. Apparatus for folding sheet material comprising, a drum, a crank for rotating said drum, comprising a resilient crank arm, a pair of rolls pressed against said drum and thereby driven from said drum, said rolls and said drum providing spaced bights for receiving the sheet therebetween and for feeding the sheet therethrough, spaced stop means having abutting relation with said crank to limit crank throw so that only a portion of said sheet is fed through said bights, the leading edge of said sheet being entered into one of said bights when said crank is against one of said stop means and being fed through both of said bights by movement of said crank to abutment with the other of said stop means, deflector means positioned adjacent to the exiting end of the other of said bights and operable to be engaged by the leading edge of said sheet and arranged to turn such edge and direct it back into said other bight, thus forming the sheet in loop relation at the exit side of said other bight, said loop being drawn through said other bight and into said one bight by reverse movement of said crank from said other stop means toward said one stop means, whereby said loop is folded and a crease is formed at an intermediate portion thereof, thus providing a doubled-up portion of said sheet held by said one bight, and said doubled-up portion being fed crease-first through said other bight by movement of said crank in a direction away from said one stop means, said resilient crank means permitting said crank to be Withdrawn from engagement with said other stop means whereby said sheet may be fed so that said crease engages said deflector and is turned and directed into said other bight to form a further loop comprising the doubled-up portion of said sheet and an additional portion of said sheet, and such further loop being drawn through said other bight by reverse rotation of said crank to further crease and fold said sheet.

5. The method of forming at least two folds in sheet material which comprises passing less than one-half of the length of the sheet through the bight of a pair of feed rolls which are rotating in one feeding direction, turning back the leading edge of said sheet and directing such edge back into said bight to form the sheet in first loop relation at the exit side of the rolls, reversing rotation of said rolls to feed said first loop into said bight and crease an intermediate part of said first loop and thus provide a doubled-up sheet portion, reversing rotation of said rolls so that they rotate in said one direction and passing the doubled-up sheet portion, crease first, through said bight, turning back said crease after it has passed from said bight a predetermined amount and directing it back into said bight to form a second loop at the exit side of the rolls, and reversing rotation of said rolls to feed the second loop into said bight and crease an intermediate part of said second loop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Crowther Nov. 17, 1925 

